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Health Controversy: Are These Athletic Shoes ... Racist?

A major shoemaker launched a new athletic shoe recently, posting a cheeky message on its Facebook page. But, the response was overwhelmingly negative. What do you think?

After Adidas posted about its "JS Roundhouse Mids" on its Facebook page, fans were outraged. The purple and orange athletic shoes come with plastic "shackles". The company's Facebook post about the shoes was reportedly: "Got a sneaker game so hot you lock your kicks to your ankles?"

But, a lot of people didn't find the design so funny. In fact, many suggested that the shackles was an inappropriate nod to slavery. One commenter said: “These shoes are the WORST idea EVER! Really, we’re supposed to voluntarily buy shackles now?!”

And, from another: “Who ever wears this is openly saying they are a slave,” said another.

In a statement, Adidas had this to say: "The design of the JS Roundhouse Mid is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott’s outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery. Jeremy Scott is renowned as a designer whose style is quirky and lighthearted and his previous shoe designs for Adidas Originals have, for example, included panda heads and Mickey Mouse. Any suggestion that this is linked to slavery is untruthful."